Super-Size Me. (Or, Two Thoughts For The Day.)

When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.
--Marquis de la Grange (1639-1692)

And one for my Trekkie friends (live long and prosper):
Things are only impossible until they're not.
--Jean-Luc Picard, 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'

Back In The Saddle.

New tires all around on the karmic wheels. Some of the glad tidings:

--Good visit with my babies. Sad cause they left today, and I'll miss them, but they had a good time, and I know I'll get to talk to them soon, and see them again eventually.
--Full time at work again. (mmmm...benefits)
--Above and Beyond winner for the second month in a row at work.
--Officially made Music Director for the station.

Moving to mornings and Bob and Tom producer soon (you got your wish, RH)...Crystal promoted to nights. Good for us both. Fits better with my music director duties...and it's exposure for me on the highest rated daypart. Crystal gets to grow. Imagine that...letting your people learn and grow in their career! What a concept!

Now if I can find a house, get my stuff out of storage, and have a place to entertain friends and loved ones --(present and future loved ones....heh.)-- things will be damn great!

Oh, and if anyone has any tips on a good diet, let me know....that's another goal for the months ahead.

Talked to Grandma today....girls got to say goodbye, and I inquired about her activities at the home...er, rehabilitation center. She has a good roommate, and apparently good therapists, and seems to be making progress. Good for her.

Meant to be, meant to be. Not just a slogan...more a way of life. It all lies in how you play the hand you're dealt.

Just about everybody can have it good if they try hard enough, and keep their chin up. Or as my roundheaded friend wrote not so long ago....if I had to sum it up , my epitaph might read 'more than some, less than others.' Good line...and a good way to keep perspective...on all things.

Getting ready for whatever's next.....

A Thought For The Day.

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.

-- Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

How Was The Concert? Some Kind Of Wonderful. (Or, Grand Funk Railroad Still Rocks!)

Last night was the Billy Elvis and the Haz Benz/Grand Funk concert at the Noble County Fair. Got to see my old friend Don Moore, still grinding away at WAWK (my alma mater, for those of you tracking my storied and illustrious career; the studios on North East Street in Kendallville were my first on-air radio home.)
Billy, Mike Hanke the sign guy, and the rest of the Haz Benz band did a surprisingly good job for their first gig. Good opening act.

Then, Grand Funk took the stage. Even a slight drizzle couldn't dampen our spirits. THEY FREAKIN' ROCKED!! Max Carl (ex-38 Special singer) and Bruce Kulick (ex-Ace Frehley replacement in KISS) joined Don Brewer and Mel Schacher on stage and rocked the crowd. My kids, attending their second rock concert ever (after Journey last Saturday night) were thrilled, and I have to admit as jaded as I am, even I was impressed.


But the best was yet to come. After being repeatedly reminded by the promoter (a great guy named Rich Mischell, BTW) that the band might not come out and greet us, not only did they come out...they stood and signed autographs, took pictures, and made themselves available in a way I haven't seen since my days in country radio. Damn nice guys....and my babies got their backstage passes autographed by Grand Funk Railroad!

The sno-cones and Mike's Fried Cheese Curds had a extra-special flavor after a great show from a great band.

(I know, I'm gushing here....but GFR really impressed me, and they deserve their props.)

The kids take off tomorrow morning....with some cool memories of their visit with their dad. That makes it all the more special.

A Visual Thought For The Day.

Just testing this picture posting thing....

Here's the latest entry for "Fix The Caption, Bay-Bee" on my page on the station website....you can get a jump on the cutthroat competition....

My caption.....

"Does this outfit make me look fat?"

I.....Love A Parade.

My feet still hurt from walking in the Three Rivers Festival Parade this past Saturday....

OK, not really. Actually, it was a fun time (except for having to be on-site at 8:30 in the morning.) Dont believe me? Check these video caps out....

Amanda's walking behind me (hidden by her Daddy's bulk.) Laura's in the Hummer, passing out water and drinks. The Fabulous Rhythm Kids were a little too loud for her ears, so she chose to ride.

Good times, and good exposure.

Celebrate Good Times, Come On! (Or, It's Kool with the Gang.)

This past weekend we celebrated my youngest daughter's 13th birthday with the family, as well as marking my grandmother's 90th birthday. Just a small gathering...immediate family members and Grandma's next door neighbor. Had good food, good conversation, and bad euchre--Grandma isn't a card sharp like she used to be--but a good time was had by all.

So many things to try to get done with my kids while they're here....and just 8 days to do it all. Sorry to anyone slighted by our lack of access.... but heck, we just now got to go to Powers and Coney Island today...and they go home Thursday morning. All too short a time together....and then they're home Friday, take Saturday off to do laundry, then off to the second round of church camp on Sunday morning. Their schedule is just as busy as anyone's I know...bar none.

My schedule is full too....taking care of girls, being a full-time daddy, and still being a full-time employee is stretching me thin...but we're managing, with the help of family that can stand in when I'm not available. The babies like spending time with their aunts and cousins...and it keeps them from getting sick of me, and vice versa, during our visit. They'll be gone all too soon...and then I can crawl back into my work-related cave for an emotional hibernation. Oh well.

On a more somber note, Grandma went into the nursing home today 'voluntarily'...best case scenario has her coming home after two to three weeks of rehabilitation. The 'voluntary' part means she's free to come and go at will now, so she doesn't feel so much like she's been imprisoned--although she fought the decision all the way. We explained that this was the only way she could get better and resume her lifestyle, and she seemed to accept that. With any luck and the staff's help, she'll be feeling better soon...and if not, this will be a transition to whatever's next.

Time to go...Hopefully, it's picture time tomorrow morning, so I can document my two young ladies and their progression into the beautiful young women they're becoming...then off to go backstage at the Grand Funk Railroad concert. More good times with my nubbins.....

Humor in A Jugular Vein. (Or, A Thought For The Day.)

We live in a world where lemonade is made with artificial flavoring and furniture polish is made from real lemons.

--Alfred E. Neumann, MAD Magazine